Meyner Center for the Study of State and Local Government at Lafayette College

One Week Remaining: Ready to Make a Difference in Ambler Borough? As municipal professionals, we understand that strong local leadership shapes the daily lives of residents. Ambler Borough is seeking their next Manager - someone ready to apply their experience in municipal operations to strengthen this vibrant Montgomery County community. This position offers an opportunity to guide a $19M operation including essential services like public works, water, and public safety. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping municipal services and enhancing community well-being. The deadline is Tuesday, October 29th at noon. If you're passionate about good governance and community development, consider bringing your expertise to Ambler or sharing with those who may be a fit.

🎓 Attention Lafayette College students! 📢 The Meyner Center for the Study of State and Local Government is proud to co-sponsor the Careers in Public Service Speaker Series, kicking off on Monday, October 21st at noon in Kirby Hall of Civil Rights 104. 🌟 Opening Session Highlights: Learn about careers dedicated to public good Hear from experienced professionals in public service Discover opportunities and resources at Lafayette College Featured Speakers: Holly Akers - Associate Director of Employer Relations and Outreach, Gateway Career Center • Diverse experience across multiple industries Nicole Beckett - Associate Director for Public Service, Meyner Center • 23+ years in municipal management • Former Borough Manager of Lehighton, PA Don't miss this chance to explore meaningful career paths and network with professionals in the field. Lunch will be provided! Co-sponsored by: Department of Government & Law, Department of Economics, Department of Anthropology & Sociology, Meyner Center, Gateway Career Center, Lafayette Votes, Landis Center #CareersinPublicService #LafayetteCollege #MeynerCenter #PublicService #StudentOpportunities.

Professional Opportunity: Borough Manager Position in Ambler, PA Ambler Borough, a charming community in Montgomery County, PA, is seeking an experienced professional to serve as its next Borough Manager. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a $19 million operation and make a significant impact in a vibrant, historic town just outside Philadelphia. Key details: Population: 6,800 Budget: $19 million Staff: Approx. 60 employees Departments: Administration, Public Works, Water, Wastewater, and Police Salary: $120,000-$170,000 with excellent benefits The ideal candidate will have: 3-5 years of municipal management experience Strong organizational and financial skills Planning/land development experience Bachelor's Degree (Master's preferred) Excellent communication skills Full job posting: BOROUGH MANAGER/SECRETARY—Ambler Borough (population 6,800), Montgomery County, PA seeks an experienced leader to serve as its Borough Manager. Ambler Borough is a charming, close-knit community that blends small-town warmth with a vibrant local culture and historic character, located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, just 16 miles north of Philadelphia, offering easy access to both urban amenities and suburban tranquility. Manager has authority to supervise all day-to-day operations and coordinates the nine-member Borough Council and staff. Seeking a forward-thinking individual who can drive innovation and modernize technological systems to enhance community services. Manager administers an annual budget of $19 million with approximately 60 employees including administration, public works, water, wastewater, and police departments. Candidates should have (1) at least 3-5 years of municipal management experience; (2) knowledge of modern local government management principles; (3) strong organizational and financial skills & planning/land development experience; (4) Bachelor’s Degree (Masters preferred); and (5) strong communication skills. Salary $120,000-$170,000 with excellent benefits; actual salary to be based on experience/qualifications. Send cover letter and resume in one combined PDF document to beckettn@lafayette.edu. Deadline is noon on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. EOE. Please contact Nicole Beckett with any questions on the position.

Reflections on the 2024 International City Management Association Annual Conference!

NEW POSITION AT THE CENTER Associate Director for Municipal Services The Meyner Center for the Study of State and Local Government at Lafayette College is seeking an Associate Director for Municipal Services. This position offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on local governance in our region. Key Responsibilities: Facilitate executive recruitments (e.g., city managers, finance directors, police chiefs) for local governments in Lafayette College's region (mainly Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon, Monroe, Bucks, Montgomery, Berks, Delaware, Chester, and Warren counties) Undertake administrative and financial analyses, organizational assessments, and strategic planning Conduct salary-and-benefit surveys and assist with labor-contract negotiations Provide administrative services to selected local agencies Develop and conduct training activities for local government officials Recruit local and state government internship positions for students Promote the public visibility of the Meyner Center Qualifications: Practical experience in state-local public service, such as city management, and/or a graduate degree in public administration or political science with practical experience Ability to work independently and solve problems Excellent verbal and written communication skills Outstanding customer service orientation Willingness to travel to municipalities to provide services Proficiency in social media outreach Strong time-management and task-prioritization skills Ability to work effectively with elected and appointed public officials, as well as students, faculty, and staff Additional Information: 12-month non-tenure administrative position Reports directly to the Director of the Meyner Center Works in close coordination with the Center's Associate Director for Public Service Shared on-campus office space available in 013 Kirby Hall of Civil Rights Salary is competitive and based on experience and qualifications Within three years, expected to generate revenue sufficient to cover salary and benefits and provide additional revenue for Center activities Lafayette is deeply committed to creating a diverse community, one that is responsive, inclusive, and is supportive of each and all of its faculty, students, and staff. All members of the College community share in the responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced. All Lafayette operations reflect the College’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives, and Lafayette welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds. To apply, please provide a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references at: https://lnkd.in/eG4SQmVj

The Meyner Center is proud to share insights from the 2024 Pennsylvania Municipal Electric Association Annual Conference, which concluded on September 5th at the historic OMNI Bedford Springs. 🏛️⚡ Our Associate Director for Public Service, Nicole Beckett, represented the Meyner Center at this significant event, engaging with a diverse array of municipal electric professionals including managers, superintendents, elected officials, and vendors. Key highlights from Nicole's experience: "Is it the Jetsons or Gen Z: Creating an Out of this World Workplace for the Future" 🚀 session with Danette Scudder Critical updates on Energy Markets, Capacity, and Transmission with Craig Kleinhenz "Strategy, Data, and Governance" session with Kel W., exploring effective relationships between elected officials and managers We're especially excited about the launch of the PMEA Governance 101 Program. The Meyner Center played an integral role in developing this crucial resource for PA Public Power education. From conceptualization to final editing, Nicole worked closely with the PMEA Board to create a comprehensive, high-quality educational program, recorded on the Lafayette College campus. This collaboration underscores our commitment to advancing public power knowledge and governance. We look forward to applying these insights and experiences to better serve our municipal partners and contribute to the bright future of public power. #PMEA2024 #MunicipalElectric #PublicPower #ProfessionalDevelopment #NetworkingMatters #ContinuousLearning #MeynerCenter #LafayetteCollege #GoodGovernance

Nurturing the Next Generation of Leaders We're proud to announce the successful completion of the Meyner Center Local Government Internship Program for Summer 2024! Three outstanding Lafayette College students gained invaluable experience in local municipalities, contributing their skills and fresh perspectives to community development. Our interns and their placements: Katherine McDermott'26 - Doylestown Township Management Support Intern Olivia Bamford '24 - The City of Easton Community and Economic Development Office Cameron Kratz '26 - North Wales Borough Management Intern Katherine shares her experience: "During my internship with the Doylestown Township local municipality, I witnessed how ingrained the government and Township are for one another. I was able to see what the government is at its core, and that is a body that seeks to help people conduct their lives and ensure the safety of the masses." Cameron learned about the ins and outs of Borough Management, including record keeping, finance, and communicating with residents. In this internship, he assisted the Borough Manager with writing grant proposals, compiled content for the newsletter, prepared for community events, and filed records. "This position taught me a lot about working in local government and addressing the needs of a community. I am grateful for this amazing opportunity!" North Wales Borough Manager Christine Hart, CBO praises Cameron's work: "Cameron fulfilled the internship we offered this year, and we could not have asked for a more qualified or phenomenal student! Cameron's attention to detail, ability to perform, and overall work ethic are amazing!" We're thrilled to announce that Olivia Bamford, who graduated in May, has secured a position as Assistant IPP Manager with the City of Easton Area Joint Sewer Authority. This role offers Olivia significant growth potential and the opportunity to serve her community. The joint authority provides crucial wastewater conveyance and treatment services for its member communities surrounding the City of Easton. Olivia's internship experience in the City of Easton's Community and Economic Development Office, where she contributed to business recruitment strategies, downtown development, and grant writing, has undoubtedly prepared her well for this new challenge. These internships provide a unique opportunity for students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world scenarios, while municipalities benefit from fresh ideas and enthusiastic support. We're committed to fostering the next generation of leaders. Programs like this are crucial for building stronger, more innovative communities. Congratulations to our interns and thank you to the host municipalities for their dedication to nurturing young talent! Thank you Stephanie Mason Andrea Susten Christine Hart, CBO Alex Turock John Kingsley Trevor Pinho Rachel Roseman, MBA #LocalGovernment #Internships #CommunityDevelopment #NextGenLeaders #LafayetteCollege

The Meyner Center is growing!!! The Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Center at Lafayette College announces an opening for the position of Associate Director for Municipal Services. This new role represents a significant expansion of our capacity to serve local governments and advance the study of public administration. Position Overview: Facilitate executive recruitments for local governments Conduct administrative and financial analyses Undertake organizational assessments and strategic planning Manage salary-and-benefit surveys and labor-contract negotiations Provide administrative services to selected local agencies Develop training activities for public officials Recruit internship opportunities for students Qualifications: Graduate degree in Public Administration or Political Science preferred Substantial practical experience in state-local public service Strong analytical and communication skills Demonstrated ability to work independently and solve complex problems The successful candidate will contribute to the Center's mission of bridging academic research and practical governance. They will have the opportunity to engage with elected and appointed officials, as well as collaborate with Lafayette faculty and students on research projects. This is a 12-month, non-tenure track administrative position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. For full details and application instructions, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eVWMXGcB Lafayette is deeply committed to creating a diverse community, one that is responsive, inclusive, and is supportive of each and all of its faculty, students, and staff. All members of the College community share in the responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced. All Lafayette operations reflect the College’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives, and Lafayette welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds. #PublicAdministration #LocalGovernment #LocalGov #HigherEducation Contact Nicole Beckett with questions on the new position.

Urgent Call for Experienced Municipal Leaders: Malvern Borough, Chester County, PA is seeking its next Borough Manager. This is a unique opportunity to lead a financially stable community known for its small-town charm. We are actively seeking skilled and experienced candidates who can navigate their local opportunities and challenges. If you have the expertise to guide Malvern Borough forward, we strongly encourage you to apply. Time is of the essence - the application deadline is noon on Thursday, August 22nd. Please review the advertisement below for full details and application instructions. Help us find the right talent to lead Malvern Borough into its next chapter. #localgov #communityleadership #municipalmanagement

🚀 Job Opportunity: Borough Manager/Secretary for Malvern Borough, Chester County, PA 🚀 The Meyner Center is pleased to announce that we are assisting Malvern Borough with the Executive Recruitment for their next Borough Manager. Malvern Borough (population 3,419) is seeking a seasoned leader to join the team as the next Borough Manager. Nestled in a beautiful section of Chester County, Malvern offers a charming small-town atmosphere while neighboring areas have grown significantly. As the Borough Manager, you will oversee daily operations, coordinate the efforts of the seven-member Borough Council and staff, and manage an annual budget of $12 million. You’ll be leading a dedicated team of approximately 20 employees across administration and public works. While the manager does not lead the police department, they will work directly with the Mayor and the Police Department to ensure smooth operations. Malvern Borough is governed by a home rule charter and is financially stable. Key Qualifications: Experience: 3-5 years in municipal management. Knowledge: Modern local government management principles. Skills: Strong organizational, financial, planning, and land development expertise. Education: Bachelor's degree required (Master's preferred). Communication: Exceptional communication abilities. Compensation: Salary: $120,000-$170,000 (based on experience/qualifications). Benefits: Excellent benefits package. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Noon on Thursday, August 22nd. Interested candidates, please send your cover letter and resume in one document to beckettn@lafayette.edu. Malvern Borough is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Join the efforts to maintain and enhance the charm and functionality of Malvern Borough. Apply today! 🌟 #MeynerLafayette #MunicipalManagement #LocalGov #Opportunity #Pleaseshare